Together Townsville SEC programme dinner speech notes

TP human capital has been involved in facilitating the SEC programme from the beginning for the last 4 years.  It’s been an extremely satisfying journey working with Together Townsville partners Lancini Group and the Townsville City Council, and of course the schools and students.

While I’m not the one out there delivering the programme, I own TP human capital, and as the owner I am immensely proud of my team and the business to be able to deliver this programme and the other services we provide.

This particular programme hits home with me, because I was 28 when I started TP human capital and that’s 11 years ago.  I’ll be the big 40 in 2014.  Which to most of the students in this room is really, really old J

While it may not seem it, 28 is fairly young to start in business and I really wish that a programme like SEC was available when I was at school.  Who knows, I might have started earlier, or been more successful.   And not made as many mistakes along the way.

With 15 to 20 staff as as many as 25 staff a year ago, we are still a small business.  And as a Small Business owner the variety of things I get to do and have to do is diverse.  From Marketing, Financial Management, HR, IT, Strategy, Operations, Staff, etc…     I know many of you had a taste of these different areas throught the SEC programme.

Running a business can be tough, my role changes regularly depending on the economic climate, quantity of staff, services we are offering, client demands, etc.

I’ve almost been bankrupt in 2005 and suffered the GFC in 2008/09 going from 20 staff to 7 in a short time to survive.  The last year has also been very tough.  The continual expanding and contracting is certainly challenging, but the positive news is there are many many lessons to be learnt along the way.  And while tempting, it’s important not to give-up.

Rebecca asked me to give you three reasons why I do what I do.   Sometimes I’m not sure.  I’m really not sure 🙂

1. I think the number one reason is the challenge
2. Variety and flexibility
3. Learning – striving to continually improve

She also asked me 3 things I love about what I do:

1. The people – my team.  People can be challenging, but developing people is hugely satisfying
2. Leadership – I love maintaining a positive culture and an enjoyable, productive work environment
3. The idea that one day I’ll be able to do what I want, when I want and own a business, not a job J

It can be hard to stay motivated and focused at times, but the challenge of being a better business and person keeps me interested and moving forward.

My advice to you, as young people coming closer to embarking on your own careers is pretty simple.  It’s all about ATTITUDE.

• Positivity
• Initiative
• Flexibility
• Reliabilty
• Willingness to learn and be open to new opportunities to gain experience

And importantly learn from your mistakes and never give-up.

• Thank you Councillors and David Lynch, Pam Royal, Amelia Blick
• Thank you to TP human capital team
• Thank you to the schools and students
• In particular Thank you Bex